Neighbors keen to deepen cultural ties

Kim Junbum's interest in Chinese culture started when his grandfather brought him a set of commemorative coins from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

"It was very beautiful, which triggered my wish to learn more about China," Kim, 29, from Seoul, said.

A few years later, Kim attended college in Beijing and then founded Korean Peninsula Technology Co to introduce Chinese culture and China's fast-developing technology market to people in South Korea. "I'm fond of food and tourism," he said. "China has a diversity of ethnic cultures and every place has its own special dishes, so I have a lot to experience here."